I’ve been busy hauling corn to my local ethanol plant. Last week, at least early in the week, we had the opportunity to do a little dirt work. I know a few guys in the neighborhood were able to put some more anhydrous on. Then we had the weather come through, and I live on a gravel road and it shut me down from hauling corn because it’s so soft. Just trying to find jobs around the shop and yard in the latter part of the week last week.

We have not been out in the field much. I spray 32% for my nitrogen, so I don’t do anhydrous, but I know a few guys on lighter ground have some anhydrous around here. Mostly we are still getting equipment ready to go, hauling some corn right now and getting some contracts filled. We are waiting for the river to open because I have beans that have to go there, but the river doesn’t sound like it’s going to be open for a couple of weeks yet. 

Recker grows corn and soybeans near Arlington, Iowa, along with some seed corn. He just finished his term as president at Iowa Corn and is now chairman. He has worked been part of the organization for eight years, and much of his work there has been on policy. Recker and his wife, Nichole, have two teenagers at home.

Everything came to a halt after Monday (Sept. 17), with heavy rains last week — anywhere from 4 to 6 inches for the week. A few guys started chopping corn again today (Sept. 23). A few combines were running in corn. When it dries up, early beans will be ready. Some corn broke off from wind last week. We hope to combine Monday.

It was a perfect weather week. We made lots of hay and chopped corn. Early planted corn is drying down, and early planted beans are drying down fast too. Last-planted corn is still 10 days from black layer. We started combining a 99-day corn planted the last days of April today (Sept. 16) and it had 24 percent moisture — yielding very well. Saw one guy combining soybeans.

Rain totals over last weekend and the early part of the week were anywhere from 3 inches up to 6 inches or more — didn’t need that. Corn still looks good, with some leaf disease showing up. Early planted corn is black layered. Guys are trying to chop corn and catch up on making hay with the nice weather. Still really wet in areas.

Crops are doing well. We had anywhere from 3 to over 5 inches of rain as of Friday (Aug. 31). Need it to dry out now. Lots of hay needs to be made yet. Starting to see some diseases in the soybeans. It won’t be long if it stays hot before corn chopping will start.

Another humid week with spotty rains. Anywhere from 0.1 to 0.5 inches for the week. Crops are moving along. Some corn fields are yellowing from lack of nitrogen — not surprising considering the wet June and July. The humidity and cloudy, foggy weather made it difficult for guys to make hay.